German POWs in America

The U.S. government detained nearly half a
million Nazi prisoners of war in 511 camps across the country between the years 1942 and
1945. German Soldiers were imprisoned in 45 of the 48 states.

Recommended reading about how the US handled this massive migration of enemy soldiers
into their country and absorbed them into their communities. The German Prisoners of War
imprisoned in the United States during WWII provided needed manpower and services.

The only book-length analysis of the German Florida POW experience. This book tells the
story of the 10,000 men who were "guests" of Uncle Sam in Florida. Twenty-seven
POW camps were set up in Florida, where the German prisoners worked in the civilian citrus
and sugar cane industry. As in all states, there were escapes, internal battles among the
prisoners, and life-long friendships made among peoples of two nations.Check
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During World War II, more than fifteen thousand German and Italian soldiers came to Missouri. This was no invasionary force; rather these were prisoners of war, part of a flood of almost a half-million men captured and sent to the United States, held here until the end of the war.
Life as a POW in the thirty camps scattered across Missouri was a surprisingly pleasant experience. The men ate well and were quartered under the same conditions as the Americans assigned to guard them, and the prisoners often enjoyed a great deal of freedom. The internees worked on local farms, often "guarded" only by a bored GI snoozing under a shade tree. They organized camp theater troupes, sports leagues, and orchestras, and some prisoners studied at the camp library for classes at the POW "university."
For residents of the mostly small towns where these camps were located, the arrival of enemy POWs engendered a range of emotions--first fear and apprehension, then curiosity, and finally, in many cases, a feeling of fondness for the men they had come to know and like.

During World War II, more than fifteen thousand German and Italian soldiers came to Missouri. This was no invasionary force; rather these were prisoners of war, part of a flood of almost a half-million men captured and sent to the United States, held here until the end of the war.
Life as a POW in the thirty camps scattered across Missouri was a surprisingly pleasant experience. The men ate well and were quartered under the same conditions as the Americans assigned to guard them, and the prisoners often enjoyed a great deal of freedom. The internees worked on local farms, often "guarded" only by a bored GI snoozing under a shade tree. They organized camp theater troupes, sports leagues, and orchestras, and some prisoners studied at the camp library for classes at the POW "university."
For residents of the mostly small towns where these camps were located, the arrival of enemy POWs engendered a range of emotions--first fear and apprehension, then curiosity, and finally, in many cases, a feeling of fondness for the men they had come to know and like.

More than fifteen POW camps housing German captives existed in
Minnesota during World War II. This history of those camps tells how they worked, how the
POWs contributed to the Minnesota economy during the war years, and, how the camps were
closed.Check
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During World War II, thousands of Axis prisoners of war were held throughout Nebraska in base camps that included Fort Robinson, Camp Scottsbluff and Camp Atlanta. Many Nebraskans did not view the POWs as evil Nazis." To them, they were ordinary men and very human. And while their stay was not entirely free from conflict, many former captives returned to the Cornhusker State to begin new lives after the cessation of hostilities. Drawing on first-person accounts from soldiers, former POWs and Nebraska residents, as well as archival research, Melissa Marsh delves into the neglected history of Nebraska's POW camps."

A study of one New Hampshire logging community that served as a German POW depot, where
life-long friendships arose between the prisoners and the local residents as both dealt
with the harsh winters and war-time deprivations.Check
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A comprehensive look inside Wisconsin's 38 branch camps that held 20,000 Nazi and
Japanese prisoners of war during World War II. Most worked on farms, harvesting peas and
other crops. Many of these prisoners blended with the local community, drinking at taverns
and even dating local young women. Some returned and settled in Wisconsin after their
release. Their familiarity with local residents caused resentment by returning soliders
who had battled them in Europe and Asia. Written by a Wisconsin school teacher whose
students didn't believe her when she said German POWs had been housed in their community
during the war.Check
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First-person account of a German POW in Texas. This autobiography
covers the soldier's childhood as a Hitler youth, his service in the Afrika corps, leading
to his capture and imprisonment in Texas. This is an incredible insider view of the prison
camps. After being repatriated back to Europe (where he had to serve several more years of
forced labor before being free to return home), he eventually returned to Texas, where he
became an American citizen and now lives.Check
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This book provides a great overview of all
the prison camps and communities in the US during World War II. A look at the hasty
conversion of high school gyms, local fairgrounds, and racetracks to serve as holding
areas, and the public relations problems that ensued. It covers the escapes, Nazism in the
camps, kangaroo courts, and political murders among the prisoners. A fascinating history
of one of the most incredible facets of America's participation in World War Two.Check
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